Enter the 2014 Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition

There are just two weeks to go until the entry deadline for the Royal Observatory's 2014 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. Budding astro-photographers need to submit their pictures by midday on 24 April to be in with a chance of winning £1,500 and pride of place in an exhibition opening at the observatory on 18 September 2014.

Photographers can enter their images at www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto, where full competition rules and some top tips are also available. We present some of the photos already entered in this year's competition. Take a look at the official Flickr group for inspiration and to see more.

Heart Nebula In Hubble PaletteBob Franke, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014Aurora in Vopnafjörður, IcelandFabian Neyer, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014Fires over Mt BarneyRob Packer, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014Autumn Stars, Cledan Valley Tipis, CarnoKristofer Williams, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014The Pebble BeachLaurent Laveder, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014M78 Stardust and StarlightOleg Bryzgalov, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014Stars in the SkySteven Fox, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014The Milky Way is Reflecting in the OceanLaurent Laveder, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014SH2-142Julian Hancock, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014Aurora over Ballintoy, Northern IrelandGlenn Miles, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014